BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The recently completed BADM 100 one-hour credit course was a rousing success for Campbell Business newcomers. The seminar course is structured around five major subject areas: transition to college, business philosophy, leadership, teamwork, and professionalism. Lecture topics include student habits, time management, servant leadership, leadership strengths testing, professionalism and free markets.
This past fall semester BADM 100 students worked within mentor groups to create a food truck, including design, database research, marketing, accounting and economics. Students performed a SWOT analysis on their concept, designed logos, researched target markets and fixed and variable costs. At the conclusion of the semester each group gave a five minute sales pitch and submitted an extensive business/marketing packet on their concept. Some of the food trucks students created included Scoops of Sweets, CamBowls, Gaylord’s Grilled Cheese, Summerville Picnics, Orange Organics and Just Roll with It Ice Cream.
“I have really enjoyed working on the food truck project with my group,” said Tori Colvard. “Everyone in my group is engaged and excited about the project which makes getting things accomplished a little less challenging. I feel that this project, while allowing us to be creative, also provided us with a sense of what all goes into creating and running an actual business. Several things have to be accounted for. Overall a great learning experience, while also being able to express creativity.”
“The food truck project is definitely a learning experience,” said Trevon Compito. “Working with others, being able to give many ideas, and giving and receiving constructive criticism is a new level of professionalism in my opinion. We were able to narrow down our options and make the best food truck possible. I loved my group and our teamwork played a big factor for us.”
The class was introduced to the innovation process and utilized Design Thinking as the framework for their project.
“We have a number of goals for this course that we feel will not only immerse the students in a business venture, build enthusiasm for their major, but also begin to equip them to perform better as they move through our four-year program,” said Campbell Business Dean Dr. Kevin O’Mara. “At the end of the course, all students will have a common experience with Design Thinking, be exposed to the innovation process, learn the trials and virtues of working within a team, and have an opportunity to hone their presentation skills. Mrs. Renee Green and her student mentors provide an important balance between guiding and encouraging students in their personal and academic development during this course. Involving the junior and senior students as mentors is invaluable for the first-year students but also for the leadership development of the mentors themselves. We are developing a culture within Campbell Business of active engagement by our students and personal development. As the first course students take in the business school, it sets the exact tone we want for our culture.”
A large part of the success that many Campbell Business students enjoy throughout their first year in Buies Creek stems from the mentorship aspect of the program. Campbell Business was the first college at the university to craft an organized freshmen seminar. Within the BADM 100 seminar new students are matched with peer mentors who assist in creating a smooth and successful transition from high school to college. Peer mentors are hand-selected after a rigorous interview process and represent the top of the Campbell Business student body.
Peer mentors provide new students with the social support that can only be shared by peers, which has helped result in new students being increasingly more successful in goal setting and achievement, time management, confidence and acculturation into a professional environment. Throughout the seminar peer mentors remain closely engaged, attending seminar sessions and outside activities, maintaining a relationship with students and assist the professor in a variety of ways.
“My first semester as a Campbell Student was definitely a stressful one,” said Haley Cribbs. “I had never been assigned as much work as I was getting, I was trying to adjust to living away from home and I was having to learn all of the ins and outs of being a college student. Luckily, I had resources such as my Student Success Handbook, an awesome seminar professor such as Mrs. Green, and my student mentor, Madison, who was able to answer any questions that I had. Without the help that I received in my BADM100 class, I honestly believe that I would have not had such a good semester.”
“My mentor has helped in my transition to Campbell University and has helped me know what is required of me as a Campbell Business School student,” said Campbell Tarpey. “She has helped me with the preparation law school and what will help me in getting in. I thank her for that and hope to repay her kindness and helpfulness forward to other students who were in my position.”
The BADM 100 peer mentoring experience proved to be so successful that a similar program will be incorporated into the sophomore level BADM 200 course. Rather than developing a food truck concept, BADM 200 student groups will develop a business of their own interest. As with BADM 100, upper-classmen will serve a peer mentors attached to individual teams and guide the teams through their projects.
“By developing a two-course sequence (BADM 100 and BADM 200) we believe the crucial business concepts and dynamics of collaborative teamwork will be reinforced across all students,” said O’Mara. “The layering of new concepts and knowledge on top of the foundation built in BADM 100 should encourage good habits in our students. We want our students to see themselves progressing in their capabilities and developing their leadership skills as they pursue their major.”
ABOUT CAMPBELL BUSINESS:
The Campbell University Lundy-Fetterman School of Business strives to be recognized as a premier business school known for its free enterprise based curriculum, distinctive academic programs, practical work experiences, and values-based entrepreneurial emphasis. For more information, visit http://ww2.campbell.edu/business.
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